9 replies to this topic

[William Drabble]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum though I have looked at some off the threads from time to time. Like many of you I am into the historic side of motor sport but there is one particular obsession I have at the moment and that is the Wolseley Beetles form the turn of last century. Basically I would like to build a replica of one of these cars but am finding it hard to find information about them. Dose anyone know details about them or know publications containing information

[Allan Lupton]

When you say you want to build a replica, do you mean that you would start with a production Wolseley and make it into a beetle? If so it would be difficult, as the beetles were 72 (6" × 6") and 96 h.p. (6" × 6½") four-cylinders and the largest production car was the 1904 24 h.p. (4½" × 5") of which none seem to have survived (and if they had, they would be too expensive to destroy).
There's been plenty of information in modern publications, or of course in period journals such as The Autocar. If you want a simple guide, Profile no 43 (Anthony Bird) will give you some help.

[Doug Nye]

1 - The Hon. C.S. Rolls - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup


2 - Cecil Bianchi - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup



3 - Cecil Bianchi - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup


4 - The Hon. C.S. Rolls - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup


All photo rights - Branger/GPL

I always thought the 'Beetle' would make a lovely prototype for a scale model - especially 1:1 (and working).

DCN

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by Doug Nye

I always thought the 'Beetle' would make a lovely prototype for a scale model - especially 1:1 (and working).

DCN [/B]

You're right Doug, 12" to the foot is the only scale worth working in!

[RTH]

Originally posted by Doug Nye

1 - The Hon. C.S. Rolls - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup


2 - Cecil Bianchi - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup



3 - Cecil Bianchi - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup


4 - The Hon. C.S. Rolls - Wolseley 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup


All photo rights - Branger/GPL

I always thought the 'Beetle' would make a lovely prototype for a scale model - especially 1:1 (and working).

DCN

What great clear photos from more than a hundred years ago.

[William Drabble]

Great photos Doug. I have the profile publication No43 and also Ten years of motors and motoracing but i need more in depth info. There would be no way i would butcher a period car, it would be built from scratch. Anyway i couldn't afford to do that. There was an article about then in Motorsport in the 80's but i haven't been able to find it. I really need photos of a bare chassis and spec on engine and transmission. Does anyone know the patent numbers for engine components etc

[RTH]

This would be one huge undertaking. If you go ahead how about posting a photographic progress report here at monthly intervals ?

[Allan Lupton]

All the Wolseley records are at Gaydon.
I have no idea what they have about the racing cars, but it would surely be the first place to try.

[William Drabble]

I'm still researching at the moment. Plus I am involved in building an Aero engined special which will need to be finished first. I live near Beulieu so I'm hoping to look at there archive for info to.

[Steve L]

Hi William,

Good luck with your Wolseley project!

It would also be great to see some pictures of your aero engined car (maybe in another thread?) - I love this sort of thing, as I'm sure a lot of other TNF members do too.